Explain Glucose/Sugar Levels, Insulin, and effects on Muscle Gain...

[Phrost]

...because seriously, I don't get it.

I've read that it's good to spike your insulin level by eating something sweet immediately after a workout, but why? Apparently Jay Cutler drinks a can of regular Coke, but then again, he's fucking Jay Cutler. I've been gnawing on a piece of fruit leather and just drinking a protein shake just to try and see if this works (haven't done it long enough to notice anything).

How effectively does this help recovery and prevent catabolism? Will it even make a difference to someone who's not training at a similar level as someone like Cutler?

[Kentucky Fried Chokin]

I always thought the Insulin helps shuttle the nutrients to the muscles and helps recovery and all that, but I'm not sure if that's a scientific fact or more bodybuilding magazine bullshit.

[Emevas]

I use dextrose and maltodextrin mixed in my protein shake post workout.

It could just be supplement voodoo, but my gains improved once I began this regimine.

[Snake Plissken]

...because seriously, I don't get it.

I've read that it's good to spike your insulin level by eating something sweet immediately after a workout, but why? Apparently Jay Cutler drinks a can of regular Coke, but then again, he's fucking Jay Cutler. I've been gnawing on a piece of fruit leather and just drinking a protein shake just to try and see if this works (haven't done it long enough to notice anything).

I was under the impression that to introduce glucose to the body post work-out was to remove the possibility of the body using the muscle's own glycogen stores.

How effectively does this help recovery and prevent catabolism? Will it even make a difference to someone who's not training at a similar level as someone like Cutler?

To some extent it will all depend on your body and it's chemistry vs. someone like Cutler.....what his regimine and diet is vs. yours.

Personally, I would rather eat someothing with sugar that is also giving you added side benefits then something like a can of Coke.

[Asriel]

I was under the impression that to introduce glucose to the body post work-out was to remove the possibility of the body using the muscle's own glycogen stores.

I would have thought that after a heavy workout, your body's Glycogen stores would be pretty empty anyway?

[Sakmongkol]

I thought you only needed an insulin spike when taking creatine?

[Phrost]

That's apparently more about getting the creatine successfully absorbed into your system.

[partyboy]

all I know is that most diabetics I've seen who train/lift regularly are stacked muscle-wise... explain that one to me

[Yohan]

I post this article every chance I get.

This should adequately answer your question:

http://nymag.com/news/sports/38001/

[EternalRage]

Insulin decreases proteolysis and increase protein synthesis and amino acid uptake. I guess that helps with rebuilding muscle.